Family says fallen rescuer often 'gave all he had' to others


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WASHINGTON, Washington County — A man who died while trying to rescue a woman and her daughter from their burning home earlier this week is being remembered as a selfless, giving person.

"He gave all he had to somebody else, and he has been doing that all his life," Hylan Kirkland said of his brother.

On Monday night, Richard Kirkland lost his life after he ran into a burning mobile home and tried to save a young mother and her 3-year-old daughter.

"According to the eyewitness reports he screeched the brakes, and they said the baby and his wife was in (the car) and Richard made no hesitation, just ripped the door open and went in," Hylan Kirkland said.

During the rescue effort, Richard was overcome by smoke, as was 27-year-old Tereasa Hurst and her 3-year-old daughter, Adalyn.

"Richard, especially if he knew there was a child in there, it would have made no difference to him. He was going to go right in. That's the way he is, he would help them," Hylan Kirkland said.

Richard was pronounced dead at the hospital in St. George. Hurst and her daughter were flown to a Las Vegas hospital, where Adalyn passed away on Wednesday night.

As they prepare for Richard's Saturday funeral, his neice Kassie Pitts said the family is trying to remember the good times.

"He was ... happy and loving, and he didn't need much or want much," Pitts said.

Generous members of the community have made financial contributions on a GoFundMe page* to help with Richard Kirkland's funeral expenses.

"Everything that is over and beyond (his final expenses), we know Richard would prefer the family ... other family involved to receive that," Pitts said. "So we are planning on donating the remainder to that family."

Both his brother and neice agreed Richard wouldn't like all the attention he is getting, but they aren't surprised he was trying to help someone else in need — especially after he lost everything he had three years ago when his own mobile home caught fire.

"To those people, he's a hero," Hylan Kirkland said. "Richard would say, 'No, I am only doing what's supposed to be done, what needed to be done.'"

A GoFundMe page* has also been set up to help cover medical and funeral expenses for Tereasa and Adalyn Hurst.

As of Friday, fire investigators had not determined a cause for the deadly fire.

An earlier version of this article had a link to a GoFundMe account to help pay for hospital expenses for Tereasa and Adalynn Hurst that has since been deleted. This article has been updated with an accurate GoFundMe link.

*Disclaimer: KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit or donation you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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Sam Penrod

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